Insulated enclosure



NOV. 7, 1967 W, MQRRlSON 3,351,223

INSULATED ENCLOSURE Filed Dec. 50, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l 30 :c FQ 34INVENTQR L Morrzson Nov. 7, 1967 w. L MORRISON Filed Dec. 30, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet 2 amg,

| l 4 l f l GZ n wim @figs United States Patent O 3,351,223 INSULATEDENCLOSURE Willard L. Morrison, Lake Forest, Ill., assignor to UnionStock Yard and Transit Company of Chicago, The Union Stock Yards,Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Dec. 30, 1963, Ser. No.334,498 2 Claims. (Cl. 220-12) This application is acontinuation-in-part of applicants copending application Ser. No.15,869, led Mar. 18, 1960, now Patent No. 3,115,982, issued Dec. 31,1963.

This invention relates to an insulated enclosure for use in the storageand/ or transportation of goods. The invention is particularly concernedwith an enclosure which is capable of retaining goods in a refrigeratedstate over long periods of time without the aid of continuously appliedrefrigeration.

In the above noted copending application, there was described aninsulated container which was particularly suitable for use in thetransportation of refrigerated goods. The structure described thereinwas designed for use as a freight car of the type `commonly used byrailroads for transporting frozen foods and the like over longdistances. During transportation, the refrigerator freight cars aresubjected to various environmental conditions including hightemperatures when transportation occurs in the warm weather or in moretemperate climates. Instead of employing conventional refrigeration ofthe freight cars, the structure described in the previous applicationwas such that initial refrigeration could be maintained for at least theduration of the transportation. Thu-s, frozen goods could `be insertedin the insulated freight car and could be kept therein for several dayswithout experiencing a detrimental rise in temperature. This wasaccomplished without the necessity for externally applied refrigeration.

It is an object of this invention to provide a refrigerated enclosurewhich is also capable of maintaining a high 'state of refrigeration overlong periods of time.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide arefrigerated enclosure'which can be easily constructed for use as aportable or stationary structure for maintaining refrigeration overextended periods of time.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter andfor purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, specic embodimentsof this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one form of an insulated enclosurecharacterized by the features of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the insulated enclosure takenabout the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary plan view of an alternative form of aninsulated enclosure;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view of an additional alternative form ofinsulated enclosure;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating an alternativesupporting structure;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating a supportingstructure of the type shown in FIG- URE 4; and

FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 comprise detail sectional views illustrating panelinterlocking alternatives.

The construction of this invention comprises a plurality of individualinsulating panels which are situated in edgeto-edge relationship. Thepanels are arranged to completely enclose the insulated space which isintended to confine refrigerated articles. A specific type of supportingstructure is provided for the insulated panels whereby the adjacentedges thereof will be pressed together. Accordingly, the enclosure isadapted to completely seal oit the interior space from the outsideatmosphere.

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The accompanying drawings illustrate various constructions which aresuitable for achieving the objects of this invention. In FIGURES 1 and2, a plurality of panels 10 are arranged whereby the adjoining edges 12of respective panels are in abutting relationship. In the illustratedembodiment, the panels form a bottom wall 14, a top wall 16 and sidewalls 18. It will be understood, however, that some of the walls,especially the bottom wall, may be formed of constructions other than anassembly of insulating panels. Thus, a concrete oor or the like couldmake up the bottom wall and a suitable insulated enclosure could stillbe achieved. It must be kept in mind, however, that any associatedelements which have a relatively high heat conductivity are to beavoided.

The supporting structure for the arrangement illustrated in FIGURES 1and 2 comprises a plurality of upright posts. The posts 20 are arrangedwhereby the side walls of the construction are directly supported by theposts. Other posts 22 have resilient means 24 associated therewith.Bearing plates 26 are attached to the ends of the resilient means, andthese bearing plates force the panel assemblies against the posts 20. Inevery case, one end of a particular wall is supported by a post 20 whilethe opposite end of that wall is engaged by a bearing plate. It will `benoted that in the case of the lower right-hand corner of the enclosure,an angle bar 28 is employed as the bearing plate. Since the post 22.associated therewith is disposed on a diagonal of the enclosure, theplate 28 imparts forces to two walls simultaneously.

The panels 14 forming the side walls of the enclosure rest on top of thepanels 10 forming the bottom wall. Similarly, the panels forming the topwall rest on the side panels. Additional resilient means 30 and bearingplates 32 may be associated with the-topwall to seal off these edges.However, in some cases, such additional pressure applying means may bedispensed with.

It will be noted that the bearing plate 26 shown in FIGURE -2 is dividedinto three sections including the upper section 34 and the lower section36, The division of this pressure plate in this manner accommodates anypossibility of differential expansion which may occur between the top,bottom and side walls. Thus, each section of the pressure plate can actindependently to maintain a sealing relationship between abutting edgesof the panels.

In the construction shown in FIGURE 3, four posts 38 are arranged ineach of the corners of the enclosure. The panels 1l) which make up theoutermost panels in each side wall are mitered as shown at 40 tofacilitate the achievement of the desired sealing relationship. At theupper left-hand corner, an angle bar 42 provides a stationary bearingplate for the assembly. At the other three corners, resilient means 44are engaged with bearing plates 45. Each of these pressure applyingassemblies operates to produce a sealing relationship between each ofthe panels forming the side walls. The angle bars can be employed aspressure plates for the bottom and top walls and additional pressure canbe vertically imparted to the top wall. v

FIGURE 4 illustrates a still further embodiment wherein pressureapplying bands 48 encompass the slabs 10 forming the side walls of thestructure. Each of the bands includes a tension spring 50 which operatesto urge the respective insulating slabs into sealing engagement. Thebands also press against the slabs forming the top and bottom walls. Inaddition to the bands shown, others can be run in the opposite directionto thereby cross the top and bottom of the assembly.

FIGURE 5 illustrates an arrangement wherein the slabs 10 are tted intotracks which serve to retain the slabs in a desired relationship, Thetrack members can be interconnected so that a portable frame for thestructure can be achieved. Vertical connecting means 52 are illustratedfor this purpose. It will be understood that connecting means of variousdesigns can be employed.

The upper tracks or channel guides 54 are wider than the panels 10 topermit removal of the panels for replace ment or for access to theinterior of the enclosure where necessary. Also for this purpose, thelower tracks are formed in two sections 56 and 58. The outer section 56can be separated from the assembly to permit removal of the associatedslab 10.

It willalso be noted that the tracks 58 are divided as shown at 60 sothat removal of the slabs can be simplied. Thus, two adjacent sections58 can be separated in order to permit removal of a single panel.Various known insulating slabs or panels can be employed in theformation of structures characterized by the features of this invention.However, a panel of the design illustrated in FIGURE 7 is preferred. Inthis panel, outer protecting members 62 which may be formed of plywoodor other durable material enclose insulating material 64. The member 62extends short of the junction 66 of the panels so that the portions 64of these panels are free to engage each other. Expanded polystyrene,such as that employed in Dylite panels, manufactured by Koppers Co.,Inc., comprises a suitable material for the interior of the panels.Panels 10 of this design will form an excellent seal since the pressureapplied to the panels will cause compression of the portions 64 in theinterface to the extent that an essentially continuous wall will beprovided by the several panels.

The discussion relative to FIGURE 7 is pertinent with regard to one ofthe most important features of this invention. In prior artconstructions, means are usually associated with adjacent insulatingpanels in order to secure them together. irrespective of the materialswhich are employed as the securing means, it has been found thatsubstantial heat loss will result. With the arrangement of thisinvention, there are no foreign elements at the interface between anytwo panels. Accordingly, the insulation at the joints of the panels canbe as effective as the insulation elsewhere. In this connection, it iscontemplated that the facing 62 be removed from any panels where thisfacing would interfere with a proper joint.

FIGURES 8 and 9 illustrate designs for interlocking of adjacent slabs10. It is appreciated that other panel constructions employ similarinterlocking means; however, these means have been illustrated in orderto emphasize the importance of achieving joints without the inclusion ofother materials. The interlocking illustrated can be achieved in panelswithout the provision of special connecting devices. Even where woodenmaterials are employed in forming the connecting means, a substantialdifference in heat transfer characteristics has been recognized.

It will be noted that in each of the embodiments disclosed herein,relative movement between the panels and their supporting structure isallowed. Any expansion or contraction in the panels which occurs duringchanges in temperature is permitted without the danger of breaking thesealing relationship between the panels. The resilient means employed inthese constructions Vare effective to press the adjacent panels togetherfrom all directions.

It will also be noted that the embodiments illustrated permit theformation of structures which can be maintained in a stationary locationor which are portable in nature. Where the post members illustrated areemployed, these members can be embedded in the ground or in concretecasings. On the other hand, such members may be assembled into a unitaryframe. Such a frame or a frame including tracks as shown in FIGURE canbe easily transported. Reference is also made to the aforementionedcopending application for suggestions regarding suitable frames. l

In most assemblies of the type described, it is desirable to provide adoor for access to the assembly. Such a door is illustrated at 68 inFIGURE l. Suitable hinge means 70 can be associated therewith. It willbe understood, however, that assemblies without a door which areconstructed for temporary use are also contemplated.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be madein the constructions describe-d which provide the characteristics ofthis invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly asdefined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. .A self-contained insulated, rectangular parallelepipedi-c shapedenclosure comprising a plurality of individual flat insulating panels,said panels defining at least tne side walls and the top wall of saidenclosure, each of said walls including a plurality of panels positionedin edge to edge relationship with the panels forming the top wallresting on the top edges of the panels yforming the side walls,stationary vertical postspositioned to engage both of the exterior facesmaking up a corner portion betwen adjacent side walls, other verticalposts fixed in position to engage the other corner portions of the sameside walls, posts fixed in position in spaced relation to the cornerportions of the other Itwo side walls and resilient means between saidspaced posts and said adjacent corner portions of the other two sidewalls acting in a plane perpendicular to the first posts constantly tourge the side walls in the di-rection towards the fixed posts engagingthe first side walls.

2. A self-contained insulated enclosure of rectangular parellelepipedicshape comprising a plurality of individual insulating panels, saidpanels defining at least the side walls and top wall of said enclosure,each of said walls including a plurality of panels positioned in edge toedge relationship, te panels forming the top wall resting on the topedges of the panels forming the side walls, a bottom wall on which thepanels Iforming the side walls rest, a lband extending longitudinallyabout the side walls intermediate their upper and lower edges includinga resilient portion whereby the band resiliently engages the side wallsfor urging t-hem together in the assembled relation, otherlongitudinally extending resilient bands straddling the adjacent meetingedge portions between the side walls and the top wall and between theside walls and the `bottom wall to hold the panels together whilesecuring the top wall and the bottom wall to the `side wall panels.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 149,933 4/1874 Hogeland 217-92758,734 5/ 1904 Blickle 220-12 1,673,324 6/ 1928 Garder 21.7-12 2,385,146 9/ 1945 MacDonald. 2,688,420 9/1954 Bishop et al. 220--12`2,729,355 6/ 1956 Gaston 217-65 2,876,275 3/1959 Schulz. 2,896,2717/1959 Kloote et al. 220-9 3,014,611 12/1961 Marshall 220-9 3,029,9674/1962 Morrison 220--9 3,044,161 7/1962 Morrison 220-15 `XR 3,093,2596/1963 Morrison 220-9 3,115,982 12/1963 Morrison 22'0-12 XR FOREIGNPATENTS 487,375 10/ 1952 Canada.

72,005 12/ 1950 Denmark.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

JAMES R. GARRETT, Examiner.

1. A SELF-CONTAINED INSULATED, RECTANGULAR PARALLELEPIPEDIC SHAPEDENCLOSURE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUAL FLAT INSULATING PANELS,SAID PANELS DEFINING AT LEAST THE SIDE WALLS AND THE TOP WALL OF SAIDENCLOSURE, EACH OF SAID WALLS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF PANELS POSITIONEDIN EDGE TO EDGE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PANELS FORMING THE TOP WALLRESTING ON THE TOP EDGES OF THE PANELS FORMING THE SIDE WALLS,STATIONARY VERTICAL POSTS POSITIONED TO ENGAGE BOTH OF THE EXTERIORFACES MAKING UP A CORNER PORTION BETWEEN ADJACENT SIDE WALLS, OTHERVERTICAL POSTS FIXED